Gumbo Zerbes

Experience the rich, robust flavors of Louisiana with this traditional Gumbo Z'Herbes recipe, a soulful green gumbo packed with hearty, fresh greens like collard, mustard, turnip, and spinach. Perfectly seasoned with garlic, thyme, and a hint of cayenne pepper, this dish starts with a velvety roux, a classic Southern cooking technique that adds a deep, nutty flavor. Whether made vegetarian or enriched with smoky sausage or ham hock, this comforting one-pot meal is served over fluffy white rice, creating the ultimate Creole culinary experience. Perfect for a crowd, this Gumbo Z'Herbes offers a savory taste of New Orleans, ideal for celebrating family gatherings or Lenten traditions.

Nutriscore Rating: 73/100

Prep Time:25 mins

Cook Time:90 mins

Total Time:115 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 2 bunches collard greens
• 1 bunch mustard greens
• 1 bunch turnip greens
• 1 bunch spinach
• 1 bunch green onions
• 1 bunch parsley
• 2 tablespoons fresh thyme
• 0.5 cup vegetable oil
• 0.5 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 large yellow onion, diced
• 1 medium green bell pepper, diced
• 3 celery stalks, diced
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 8 cups vegetable stock
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.25 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 pound optional smoked sausage or ham hock (for non-vegetarian version)
• 4 cups cooked white rice (for serving)

Directions

Step 1

Wash all the greens thoroughly. Remove tough stems and roughly chop the leaves. Set aside.

Step 2

In a large pot, bring 10 cups of water to a boil. Add the collard greens, mustard greens, turnip greens, and spinach to the pot. Simmer for 10 minutes, then drain and set aside.

Step 3

In the same pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Gradually whisk in the flour, stirring constantly, to create a roux. Cook the roux until it turns a medium-brown color, about 10-15 minutes.

Step 4

Add the diced onion, bell pepper, and celery to the roux. Cook for 5-7 minutes until the vegetables are softened. Stir in the garlic and cook for another minute.

Step 5

Slowly add the vegetable stock to the pot, stirring continuously to combine. Bring to a simmer.

Step 6

Add the cooked greens to the pot, along with the green onions, parsley, thyme, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Stir well.

Step 7

If using smoked sausage or a ham hock, add it to the pot at this time. Cover and simmer the gumbo over low heat for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.

Step 8

Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed. Remove the smoked meat (if using), slice it, and return it to the pot.

Step 9

Serve the gumbo hot over a bed of cooked white rice.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	5253.1 grams (5253.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4890

Total Fat 248.40g	318%
Saturated Fat 61.00g	305%
Polyunsaturated Fat 73.60g
Cholesterol 272mg	91%
Sodium 14031mg	610%
Total Carbohydrate 540.10g	196%
Dietary Fiber 83.40g	298%
Total Sugars 50.50g
Protein 153.40g	307%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 2310mg	178%
Iron 49mg	273%
Potassium 9019mg	192%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 44.6%

Protein: 12.2%

Carbs: 43.1%